Floribunda rose plant named ‘KORflusamea’

ABSTRACT

‘KORflusamea’ is a new and distinct variety of  Rosa hybrida  which is characterized by the combination of an upright growth habit, an abundance of large and very double-type flowers which are yellow in color and also attractive foliage with very good disease resistance. The new variety propagates successfully by grafting and by stem cuttings and has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

Latin name of genus and species: The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Rosa hybrida.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Rosa hybrida disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘KORflusamea’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct Rosa hybrida, floribunda rose cultivar, which has been given the variety denomination of ‘KORflusamea’. Its market class is PLT/141.

Parentage: The Rosa hybrida variety ‘KORflusamea’ is the result of a controlled cross-pollination breeding program carried out by the inventor in Offenseth-Sparrieshoop, Germany. The objective of the said breeding program was to create a new and distinct rose plant with unique qualities, such as:

-   -   1. Uniform growth and flowering;     -   2. Abundant attractive, recurrent flowers;     -   3. Attractive and abundant foliage; and     -   4. Resistance to diseases encountered in landscapes and gardens.         This combination of qualities is not present in prior rose         cultivars known to the inventor. These objectives have been         substantially achieved and in that distinguish ‘KORflusamea’         from all other varieties known to the inventor.

‘KORflusamea’ is a seedling selection which resulted from the controlled pollination of two Rosa hybrida cultivars during the summer of 2001. Said cross-pollination was made between the seed parent, Rosa hybrida ‘KORkinteral’ (unpatented), and the pollen parent, Rosa hybrida ‘INTERfluco’ (unpatented).

As part of a rose development program, Tim-Hermann Kordes germinated seeds from the aforementioned hybridization during the winter of 2001 and conducted evaluations and observations on the resulting seedlings in a controlled environment in Offenseth-Sparrieshoop, Germany. The resulting seedlings exhibited distinctive physical and biological characteristics. The new rose plant was selected as a single plant in May of 2002 from the seedling beds due to its superior characteristics and asexually propagated for further evaluation. This new and distinctive rose variety was given the name ‘KORflusamea’.

Asexual Reproduction: The first asexual propagation of ‘KORflusamea’ was done by budding in July of 2002 at the inventor's nursery in Offenseth-Sparrieshoop, Germany. These initial and other subsequent propagations conducted in controlled environments demonstrate that ‘KORflusamea’ reproduces true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following characteristics have been repeatedly observed and represent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Rosa hybrida cultivar ‘KORflusamea’. These traits, in combination, distinguish ‘KORflusamea’ as a new and distinct cultivar.

-   -   1. Rosa hybrida ‘KORflusamea’ exhibits an upright growth habit;         and     -   2. Rosa hybrida ‘KORflusamea’ exhibits an abundance of flowers;         and     -   3. Rosa hybrida ‘KORflusamea’ exhibits a very-double flower         habit; and     -   4. Rosa hybrida ‘KORflusamea’ exhibits a large flower size; and     -   5. Rosa hybrida ‘KORflusamea’ exhibits a yellow flower color, at         anthesis; and     -   6. Rosa hybrida ‘KORflusamea’ exhibits dark green, glossy         foliage; and     -   7. Rosa hybrida ‘KORflusamea’ exhibits very good disease         resistance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying color drawing shows as true as is reasonably possible to obtain in color photographs of this type, the typical characteristics of the buds, sepals, reproductive organs, flowers, leaves, prickles, and stems of ‘KORflusamea’, taken from plants of three years of age.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinct variety of Rosa hybrida known as ‘KORflusamea’, based upon observations of plants of three years of age growing in October of 2014 at a nursery in Jackson County, Oreg.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘KORflusamea’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may differ from the descriptions set forth herein with variations in environmental, climactic and cultural conditions. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2001 edition except where common terms of color are used.

A botanical description of ‘KORflusamea’ and comparisons with other varieties of Rosa hybrida are provided below.

-   General plant description:     -   -   Growth rate.—Moderately vigorous.         -   Growth habit.—Upright.         -   Mature dimensions.—Approximately 150 cm tall and 75 cm wide.         -   Cold hardiness.—To date, the variety has been grown             successfully in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 9.         -   Propagation.—Grafting and stem cuttings.         -   Disease resistance.—Very good resistance to powdery mildew             (Sphaerotheca pannosa) and blackspot (Diplocarpon rosae)             diseases under normal growing conditions in Jackson County,             Oreg. -   Root system:     -   -   Type.—Fibrous root system with many root hairs.         -   Branching.—Freely branched.         -   Density.—Moderately dense rooting.         -   Distribution.—Roots distributed uniformly throughout the             soil profile, from shallow to deep. -   Stems:     -   -   Stem color.—Immature stems are Yellow-Green Group 146C;             mature stems are also Yellow-Green Group 146C.         -   Intonations.—Intonations of Greyed-Purple Group 183C are             present on immature wood.         -   Stem surface texture.—The surfaces of both immature and             mature stems are smooth.         -   Prickles.—Incidence — Present on abaxial leaf surfaces only;             not observed on stems. Size — Average length is 1 to 3 mm.             Mature prickle color — Yellow-Green Group 145C. Anthocyanin             — Greyed-Purple Group 183B present on distal ends of             prickles. Shape — Deeply concave. Texture — Smooth. -   Leaves:     -   -   Arrangement.—Imparipinnate compound leaves; mature axillary             leaves consisting of 7 leaflets.         -   Attachment.—Petiolate.         -   Dimensions.—155 to 180 mm long and 100 to 110 mm wide.         -   Abundance.—Average.         -   Stipules.—Size — 20 mm long and 6 mm wide. Stipule color —             Yellow-Green Group 144A; Yellow-Green Group 145C on the             midrib. Anthocyanin — Greyed-Purple Group 183B; present on             apices and stipitate glands. Stipitate glands — Abundant on             margins. Margins — Glandular toothed. Texture — Glabrous.             Apex — Apiculate. Base — Winged.         -   Petiole.—Length — Average 30 to 40 mm. Diameter — Average 1             to 2 mm. Petiole color, adaxial surface — Yellow-Green Group             144A. Petiole color, abaxial surface — Yellow-Green Group             144B. Margins — Entire, with limited numbers of stipitate             glands present. Anthocyanin — Greyed-Purple Group 183B.             Prickles — Up to two small prickles present on the abaxial             surface. Stipitate glands — Limited number present on             margins. Texture — Glabrous.         -   Rachis.—Length — Average 20 to 30 mm. Diameter — Average 1             to 2 mm. Color — Yellow-Green Group 146B. Anthocyanin —             Greyed-Purple Group 183B, present on stipitate glands,             points of leaf attachment, and distal ends of prickles.             Margins — Entire, with limited numbers of stipitate glands             present. Prickles — A few small prickles underneath.             Stipitate glands — Limited numbers of stipitate glands on             margins.         -   Leaflets.—Quantity — Normally 7 leaflets on normal leaves in             middle of the stem. Dimensions — Average size of the             terminal leaflet is 55 to 60 mm long and 35 to 40 mm wide.             Shape — Elliptical. Apex — Acute. Base — Obtuse. Margins —             Serrated. Texture, adaxial surface — Glossy and leathery.             Texture, abaxial surface — Matte and leathery. Pubescence —             Glabrous. Juvenile foliage color, adaxial surface —             Yellow-Green Group 144A. Juvenile foliage color, abaxial             surface — Yellow-Green Group 144A. Mature foliage color,             abaxial surface — Yellow-Green Group 147A. Mature foliage             color, abaxial surface — Yellow-Green Group 147B.             Anthocyanin intonation — Greyed-Purple Group 183B. Present             on margins and midrib of juvenile foliage. Venation —             Reticulate.         -   Petiolule. —Dimensions — 4 mm long and 1.5 mm in diameter.             Petiolule color, adaxial surface — Yellow-Green Group 146B.             Petiolule color, abaxial surface — Yellow-Green Group 146C.             Prickles — None present. Texture, adaxial surface — Smooth             and glabrous. Texture, abaxial surface — Smooth and slightly             pubescent, with stipitate glands. Margin — Occasionally with             stipitate glands present along margins. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Inflorescence type.—Panicle.         -   Blooming habit.—Recurrent.         -   Quantity of flowers.—1 to 4, on average.         -   Size.—20 cm tall and 15 cm wide, on average.         -   Peduncle.—Surface — Lacking fine hairs and stipitate glands.             Length — 20 to 120 mm average length. Diameter — 3.0 to 4.5             mm average diameter. Color — Yellow-Green Group 146C.             Strength — Strong. -   Bud:     -   -   Bud form.—Short. Pointed ovoid.         -   Size.—Upon opening, 25 to 35 mm in length from base of             receptacle to distal end of bud and 20 to 25 mm diameter at             its widest point.         -   Color, as sepals first unfold.—Yellow-Orange Group 19A, 19B,             and 19C with intonations of Red Group 53B.         -   Color when one-quarter open, upper surface of             petal.—Marginal zone — Yellow Group 9C. Middle zone — Yellow             Group 9B. Basal zone — Yellow Group 9A.         -   Color when one-quarter open, lower surface of             petal.—Marginal zone — Yellow-Orange Group 15D. Middle zone             — Yellow-Orange Group 16B. Basal zone — Yellow Group 9B.         -   Color of outermost petals.—Marginal zone — Yellow Group 11D.             Middle zone — Yellow Group 11D. Basal zone — Yellow Group             12C. Anthocyanin — Intonations of Red Group 53C. -   Flower:     -   -   Pedicel.—Surface — Limited numbers of fine hairs and             abundant stipitate glands present. Length — 55 to 80 mm, on             average. Diameter — 2 to 3 mm, on average. Color —             Yellow-Green Group 146C. Intonations — Greyed-Red Group             182A. Strength — Somewhat strong. Texture — Papillate.         -   Sepals.—Color, adaxial surface — Yellow-Green Group 148C.             Color, abaxial surface — Yellow-Green Group 144A.             Intonations — Greyed-Purple 183C. Size — 22 to 30 mm long             and 10 mm wide, on average. Shape — Weak foliaceous             appendages on 3 of the 5 sepals. Apex — Apiculate. Base —             Flat at union with receptacle. Quantity — Five. Texture,             adaxial surface — Hoary. Texture, abaxial surface —             Leathery. Margins — Entire. Stipitate glands — Limited             number of stipitate glands present on margins.         -   Corolla.—Corolla habit — Very Double. General shape of             corolla — Rosette. Shape of corolla when viewed from the             side — Upon opening, upper portion — Flattened convex. Upon             opening, lower portion — Flat. Open flower, upper portion —             Flattened convex. Open flower, lower portion — Concave.             Aspect — Flowers held upright. Dimensions — Large for a             floribunda rose. When open, the average flower diameter is             80 to 100 mm and the average flower height is 40 to 50 mm.             Fragrance — Light. Duration — On the plant 5 days. Senesced             petals clinging. Petals — Petal Arrangement — Not formal.             Petal Count — Approximately 55 to 60 petals under normal             conditions. Petal Reflex — Petals are strongly reflexed.             Reflex occurs one by one. Petal Margin — Retuse and             emarginate, as observed. Petal Shape — Obcordate. Apex —             Retuse and emarginate. Base — Cuneate. Dimensions —             Approximately 35 to 50 mm long and 25 to 50 mm wide.             Texture, inner surface — Smooth. Texture, outer surface —             Smooth. Color, upon opening — Outermost petals, outer             surface — Marginal zone — Yellow-Orange Group 18A. Middle             zone — Yellow-Orange Group 16B. Basal zone — Yellow Group             12A. Outermost petals, inner surface — Marginal zone —             Yellow-Orange Group 14D. Middle zone — Yellow-Orange Group             14C. Basal zone — Yellow Group 12B. Innermost petals, outer             surface — Marginal zone — Yellow-Orange Group 18A. Middle             zone — Yellow-Orange Group 19A. Basal zone — Yellow Group             13B. Innermost petals, inner surface — Marginal zone —             Yellow-Orange Group 14C. Middle zone — Yellow Group 13B.             Basal zone — Yellow Group 12A. Color, petal base — No             distinctive coloration at petal base observed. Color after             opening — Outermost petals, outer surface — Marginal zone —             Yellow-Orange Group 18C. Middle zone — Yellow Group 11B.             Basal zone — Yellow Group 10B. Outermost petals, inner             surface — Marginal zone — Yellow-Orange Group 14D. Middle             zone — Yellow Group 12B. Basal zone — Yellow Group 3A.             Innermost petals, outer surface — Marginal zone — Yellow             Group 11B. Middle zone — Yellow Group 11B. Basal zone —             Yellow Group 8B. Innermost petals, inner surface — Marginal             zone — Yellow Group 6D. Middle zone — Yellow Group 6C. Basal             zone — Yellow Group 6C. Color, petal base — No distinctive             coloration at petal base observed. General Tonality — On             open flower Yellow Group 12C. No change in the general             tonality at the end of the 4th day. Afterwards, general             tonality is Yellow Group 3D. Petaloids — Quantity —             Approximately 25 to 30 petaloids per flower. Dimensions —             Approximately 10 to 20 mm long and 8 to 20 mm wide. Color,             inner surface — Yellow Group 10B. Color, outer surface —             Yellow Group 10B. Texture, inner surface — Smooth. Texture,             outer surface — Smooth. Margins — Variable; ruffled and             emarginate petaloid margins observed. Shape — Most commonly             emarginated with many petaloids highly irregular. Apex —             Emarginate. Base — Attenuate. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Quantity — Approximately 120, on average, and             regularly arranged around the styles. Anthers — Shape —             Reniform. Dimensions — 1.5 mm long and 1 mm wide, on             average. Color — Yellow-Orange Group 18B. Pollen — Generally             present. Pollen Color — Greyed-Orange Group N163D. Filaments             — Color — Yellow Group 2A. Length — 7 mm.         -   Pistils.—Quantity — Approximately 100 present. Stigmas —             Location — Slightly superior in position to anthers. Color —             Yellow Group 13B. Styles — Length — Approximately 8 mm long.             Color — Yellow Group 4C with intonations of Red Group 52A.             Intonations — Red Group 45B.         -   Receptacle.—Shape — Funnel-shaped. Dimensions —             Approximately 5 to 7 mm high and 8 to 10 mm wide. Surface —             Glaucous, with thin, fine hairs present. Color —             Yellow-Green Group 145A with intonations of Greyed-Red Group             182A occasionally present. Texture — Smooth. -   Hips and seed formation: Not observed to date.

COMPARISONS WITH THE PARENTS

The new rose plant may be distinguished from its seed parent, Rosa hybrida ‘KORkinteral’, by the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘KORkinteral’ has an amber yellow flower color, whereas         ‘KORflusamea’ has a yellow flower color.     -   2. ‘KORkinteral’ has semi-glossy foliage, whereas the         ‘KORflusamea’ has glossy foliage.

The new rose plant may be distinguished from its pollen parent, Rosa hybrida ‘KORfluco’, by the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘INTERfluco’ has a double corolla habit, whereas         ‘KORflusamea’ has a very double corolla habit.     -   2. ‘INTERfluco’ has average disease resistance, whereas         ‘KORflusamea’ has very good disease resistance.

COMPARISONS WITH SIMILAR ROSA HYBRIDA CULTIVARS KNOWN TO THE INVENTOR

For a comparison, several physical characteristics of the rose variety ‘KORgeleflo’, a rose variety from the same inventor described and illustrated in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,467 and filed on Aug. 12, 2009, are compared to ‘KORflusamea’ in Chart 1.

CHART 1 Characteristic ′KORflusamea′ ′KORgeleflo′ Average petal count 55 to 60 petals. 40 to 45 petals. under normal conditions. Average open flower 80 to 100 mm. 65 to 75 mm. diameter. Average leaf size. 155 to 180 mm long and 100 mm long and 100 to 110 mm wide. 65 mm wide. 

That which is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant named ‘KORflusamea’, as described and illustrated herein. 